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Sega continues its push to enter the world of non-gaming media by hiring Evan Choflin to adapt a number of the publisher's classic games for movies, TV series and web-focused digital content.

In his new role, Choflin will lead Stories International, a collaboration between Sega and ad agency Hakuhodo DY Group designed to create mass market video content. According to Variety, Stories International has access to a wide range of classic Sega properties, including Golden Axe and Virtua Fighter. Before those beloved series are adapted, however, Choflin plans to move forward on adaptations of Altered Beast, Crazy Taxi, Shinobi and Streets of Rage, among other notable Sega hits. Absent from the Stories International portfolio is Sega mascot Sonic the Hedgehog, presumably because the blue rodent already has a cartoon.

It's unknown how Stories International plans to adapt these games, nor when these adaptations might reach the public.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evan-choflingolden-axesegashinobivirtua-fighterFri, 12 Dec 2014 17:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/18/sega-3d-classics-coming-to-european-3ds-eshop/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/18/sega-3d-classics-coming-to-european-3ds-eshop/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/18/sega-3d-classics-coming-to-european-3ds-eshop/#comments
Along with today's reveal that Earthbound is now available on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo announced that a slate of Sega 3D Classics are coming to the European 3DS eShop. Sega confirmed that a North American launch is also in the works.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-classics3dsaltered-beastecco-the-dolphineShopgalaxy-force-iinintendoSegaShinobisonic-the-hedgehogspace-harrierStreets-of-Ragesuper-hang-onThu, 18 Jul 2013 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/nintendoware-weekly-game-gear-samurai-shodown-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/nintendoware-weekly-game-gear-samurai-shodown-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/nintendoware-weekly-game-gear-samurai-shodown-iv/#commentsIt's the Virtual Consoliest day of 2012! Between the Wii and 3DS, there are four new Virtual Console games you can buy today. On 3DS, of course, that means Game Gear support has arrived. On Wii, it means Samurai Shodown IV, originally for Neo Geo.

There's also some free entertainment to be found on the 3DS Nintendo Video service, where a 3D Kid Icarus anime is probably being delivered to you over SpotPass right this second.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdragon-crystaldsdsiwareeshopgame-gearnintendonintendoware-weeklypirates-assaultsamurai-shodown-ivsegashinobisonic-triple-troublewiiwiiwareThu, 15 Mar 2012 11:10:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/game-gear-titles-head-to-3ds-on-march-14-for-300-apiece/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/game-gear-titles-head-to-3ds-on-march-14-for-300-apiece/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/game-gear-titles-head-to-3ds-on-march-14-for-300-apiece/#commentsMarch 14 is the big day for Game Gear on Virtual Console, with a trio of titles headed to Japanese 3DS owners, Nintendo announced this morning. Unsurprisingly, Sega leads the lineup with three classics: Sonic (Sonic and Tails 2), Shinobi (GG Shinobi), and Dragon Crystal. The titles will cost ¥300 ($3.75) apiece, and no word was given as to when they'd head Stateside.

Of course, Sonic Triple Trouble and Shinobi were rated by the ESRB for 3DS back in February, and we were last told that Game Gear (as well as TurboGrafx-16) games would arrive on the handheld's Virtual Console store in "late May." So, uh, they're coming to North America, just not quite yet. We'll also venture a wild guess that Dragon Crystal will end up in the US as well. Sure, why not?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsgame-gearjapannintendonintendo-directnintendo-direct-2012q1-2012release-datesegashinobisonic-and-tails-2sonic-triple-troublevirtual-consoleWed, 22 Feb 2012 07:35:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/esrb-rates-game-gear-games-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/esrb-rates-game-gear-games-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/esrb-rates-game-gear-games-for-3ds/#commentsDespite using more electricity than a Lady Gaga performance and being the size of a small cathedral, the Game Gear was a pioneering handheld system than did many things better than its contemporaries. Twenty-two years later, the heart and soul of Sega's plucky little handheld lives on in the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console.

Shinobi and Sonic Triple Trouble have both been rated by the ESRB for the 3DS, which indicates that the ports are close to, if not entirely ready for release. If you had told us 22 years ago that someday we'd be playing Sega games on a Nintendo handheld, we'd have pushed you off the monkey bars.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsESRBGame-GearnintendoSEGAShinobiSonic-Triple-TroubleVirtual-ConsoleThu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/shinobi-3ds-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/shinobi-3ds-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/shinobi-3ds-review/#comments
It's tough being a ninja. Every time you put your feet up and try to relax after crisscrossing the globe in battle, your master betrays you or your girlfriend gets kidnapped or your village gets torched by a rival clan. Before you know it, you're leaping from rooftops again, sword in hand, dicing up rivals and chucking shurikens at levitating magicians.

As it was for Joe in Sega's 1987 arcade hit Shinobi, so it is for Jiro, his father, whose arc of the multi-generational plight we follow in Griptonite Games' 3DS prequel. Both games are conveniently titled Shinobi, and both would like nothing more than to happily accept your money and then kill you. Repeatedly.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsGriptonite-Gamesnintendosegashinobishinobi-3dsTue, 22 Nov 2011 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/shinobi-3ds-clip-looks-back-sees-ninjas/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/shinobi-3ds-clip-looks-back-sees-ninjas/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/shinobi-3ds-clip-looks-back-sees-ninjas/#commentsNinja Gaiden isn't the only series about a head-scarfed sword swinger fighting off crazy beasts. Check out this Shinobi retrospective that features many silly demons from the ninja series' past.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgamescomgamescom-2011GriptoniteGriptonite-GamesnintendoSegashinobishinobi-3dsSun, 21 Aug 2011 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/shinobi-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/shinobi-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/shinobi-preview/#comments
If you've heard that the new 3DS Shinobi game feels exactly like the original -- or any Shinobi game to date -- you've heard wrong. Even though it's published by Sega and it's about a ninja, Griptonite's new Shinobi is definitely a modern action game. It does take some inspiration from the series, which makes it recognizable as a descendant of those games, but it's more reimagining than remake.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdse3e3-2011griptonite-gamesninjanintendosegashinobishinobi-3dsThu, 16 Jun 2011 20:10:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/3ds-release-schedule-outs-new-eshop-games-upcoming-dates/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/3ds-release-schedule-outs-new-eshop-games-upcoming-dates/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/3ds-release-schedule-outs-new-eshop-games-upcoming-dates/#comments
We were just casually browsing Nintendo's E3 press site, like you do, when we happened upon upcoming schedules for 3DS, DS, and Wii. And there's a bunch of stuff on here that we, and probably you, hadn't heard about yet! Like, in case you missed it, the September 11 release date for Star Fox 64 3D., and an August 23 date for Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked.

The eShop section of the schedule names some upcoming Game Gear Virtual Console titles from Sega, all scheduled for "Summer." The games include Columns, Dragon Crystal, Shinobi, Sonic Drift 2, and Sonic Triple Trouble.

Check the list out after the break. Keep in mind that some of these listings will undoubtedly change in the future, or might be inaccurate now, as they were reported by Nintendo and not these games' actual publishers.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdragon-crystaldse3-2011eshopjames-noirs-hollywood-crimesnintendorayman-originsrelease-dateshinobisonic-drift-2sonic-triple-troublestar-fox-64-3dSun, 12 Jun 2011 13:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/shinobi-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/shinobi-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/shinobi-3ds/#comments
You heard about its existence earlier this week, and Nintendo Power took the liberty of confirming the title yesterday, but today Sega officially-officially unveiled the 3DS relaunch of the Shinobi series. Shinobi is a mix of original 2D side-scrolling gameplay with -- you guessed it! -- 3D occasionally mixed in.

This fall's 3DS title will follow Jiro Musashi, progenitor to the original game's main character, as he "becomes a true ninja legend" in the only way he knows how: "by mastering a brand new combo system switching between melee, ranged, and acrobatic attacks." The true ninja way!

Beyond announcing a September 2011 release window for Shinobi, Sega sent over a mess of new screens and a trailer with gameplay, which we've dropped after the break. Be careful to watch for shurikens as you sneak past the guards!

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsgriptonite-gamesnintendoq3-2011release-datesegashinobishinobi-3dsThu, 26 May 2011 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/nintendo-power-cover-confirms-sonic-generations-3ds-new-shinobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/nintendo-power-cover-confirms-sonic-generations-3ds-new-shinobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/nintendo-power-cover-confirms-sonic-generations-3ds-new-shinobi/#comments
We've recently seen some evidence of two Sega 3DS projects that have yet to be officially announced: a 3DS (and PC) version of Sonic Generations, and a new Shinobi game. It turns out that the latest issue of Nintendo Power announces them both before Sega has a chance to fire up the press release machine.

The cover of the June 2011 issue, as found on NeoGAF, specifically notes that Sonic Generations "speeds onto the 3DS" just in time for the sometimes pudgy hedgehog's 20th anniversary. Shinobi, however, is only listed as a "classic revival."

Additionally, a teaser of the forthcoming Shinobi game appears to have leaked on YouTube, posted yesterday by user "greatshow482" -- the user's only upload. Beyond affirming Griptonite Games as the developer, the teaser confirms a Shinobi game "re-imagined for the Nintendo 3DS."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsgriptonite-gamesnintendonintendo-powersegashinobishinobi-3dssonic-generationssonic-teamWed, 25 May 2011 10:09:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/resume-reveals-griptonite-working-on-shinobi-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/resume-reveals-griptonite-working-on-shinobi-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/resume-reveals-griptonite-working-on-shinobi-for-3ds/#comments
It's been quite some time since Sega's arcade-born ninja series Shinobi sliced up fools on consoles, but a recently discovered resume listing indicates that he may be making a return on Nintendo's 3DS. Griptonite Games environmental artist Branden Brushett explains his work on the unannounced title in detail, noting he "created whole levels for 'Shinobi' on the Nintendo 3DS, including many props for use in a variety of environments."

Unfortunately, aside from the news of the game existing, not much else is known -- the publishing rights holder, Sega, has yet to respond to a request for comment, nor had Mr. Brushett. And other than the news that the game will likely feature "hand painted and photo referenced textures," the resume doesn't illuminate anything else about the game.

You might say that information about Shinobi 3DS is hiding in the shadows, like a ninja, waiting to strike. And considering how strong our ninja detecting skills are, we'd wager E3 is a likely time for that strike. The "strike," likely, will just be a press release, so don't worry.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbrandon-brushettdsfoundation-9griptonitegriptonite-gamesnintendoresumesegashinobishinobi-3dsTue, 24 May 2011 13:55:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/hyperdimension-neptunia-trailer-features-surprise-sega-character/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/hyperdimension-neptunia-trailer-features-surprise-sega-character/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/hyperdimension-neptunia-trailer-features-surprise-sega-character/#comments
Just in case NIS America's Hyperdimension Neptunia wasn't weird enough, this newly released trailer highlights some of the classic Sega characters that inexplicably make an appearance. Also, don't ogle too much over the scantily-clad anime girls; you do know that they're video game consoles, right?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-kiddhyperdimension-neptunianis-americaplaystationps3segashinobispace-harrierThu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/vc-in-brief-street-fighter-alpha-2-snes-and-shinobi-vc-arcad/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/vc-in-brief-street-fighter-alpha-2-snes-and-shinobi-vc-arcad/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/vc-in-brief-street-fighter-alpha-2-snes-and-shinobi-vc-arcad/#commentsMartial arts is the theme on the Virtual Console this week, as Sega and Capcom both offer up entries in their respective franchises. Unless you like to punch things, throw pointy things at things or kick things -- or maybe some kind of mixture of all that -- then you'll probably want to skip this week's downloads. Pacifists need not apply!

Street Fighter Alpha 2 (SNES, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points)

Shinobi (VC Arcade, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomSegaShinobisnesstreet-fighter-alpha-2vc-arcadevc-in-briefvirtual-consoleMon, 07 Dec 2009 19:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/nintendoware-weekly-rayman-stop-stress-shinobi-street-fighte/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/nintendoware-weekly-rayman-stop-stress-shinobi-street-fighte/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/nintendoware-weekly-rayman-stop-stress-shinobi-street-fighte/#comments
There's some classic platforming to be had in both Rayman and Shinobi in this week's Nintendo downloads, and even a way to deal with Jack's overabundance of stress in Stop Stress: A Day of Fury. There's over ten titles in all, so cruise past the break for the full list.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>army-defenderball-fightercapcomDSdsidsiwareflowerworksmagnetismy-dolphinmynotebookNintendonintendo-dsinintendoware-weeklypop-islandraymanshinobisnesstop-stressstreet-fighterstreet-fighter-alphastreet-fighter-alpha-2ubisoftvc-arcadevirtual-consoleWiiwiiwareMon, 07 Dec 2009 10:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/european-nintendo-downloads-protothea-finally-arrives-for-some/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/european-nintendo-downloads-protothea-finally-arrives-for-some/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/european-nintendo-downloads-protothea-finally-arrives-for-some/#commentsWe have a message to deliver to our European friends from the distant past: don't buy Protöthea. We had pretty much forgotten about this shooter, released soon after the North American launch of WiiWare, until Ubisoft inexplicably dusted it off for European release. There were much better shmups on the Wii a year ago, and there are only more now. Happily, there are also more arcade games now, like the wonderful Shinobi!

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>revenge-of-shinobisegasega-genesisshinobivc-in-briefMon, 17 Aug 2009 21:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/nintendoware-weekly-picturebook-games-revenge-of-shinobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/nintendoware-weekly-picturebook-games-revenge-of-shinobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/nintendoware-weekly-picturebook-games-revenge-of-shinobi/#comments
Today's highlight is no doubt Revenge of Shinobi, the first Shinobi game on the Sega Genesis. What's funny about this is that the third game in the series on that console, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, was released on the Wii way back in 2007. Two-thousand-and-freaking-seven, people! How crazy is that? More after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aksys-gamesbrain-age-expressbrain-age-express-sudokuDSdsiwarefamily-slot-car-racinggameloftguitar-rock-tourNintendonintendoware-weeklypicturebook-gamespicturebook-games-pop-up-pursuitrevenge-of-shinobisegasega-genesisshinobisudokuvirtual-consoleWiiwiiwareMon, 17 Aug 2009 10:48:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/vc-wiiware-tuesday-burning-force-not-lighting-cigarettes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/vc-wiiware-tuesday-burning-force-not-lighting-cigarettes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/vc-wiiware-tuesday-burning-force-not-lighting-cigarettes/#commentsThe selections on Japan's Wii Shop are all over the place this week. On Virtual Console, two titles are available, including the universally loved Shinobi and Burning Force, a game with which we must admit unfamiliarity. One look at the linked YouTube video, however, cleared that right up. It's like Space Harrier on water, and it looks awesome.

WiiWare this week is loaded with stuff, including the stop-smoking app, a quiz game, a card-battling game, and Reel Fishing. The most interesting WiiWare game in Japan this week is Mobius Drive, an online racing game that looks surprisingly good for a Wii download.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altered-beastcomix-zonegunstar-heroesphantasy-star-2segasega-vintage-collectionshinobisonicsonic-3xblaxbla-in-briefxblawednesdayWed, 10 Jun 2009 21:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/second-batch-of-sega-vintage-collection-titles-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/second-batch-of-sega-vintage-collection-titles-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/second-batch-of-sega-vintage-collection-titles-confirmed/#comments
Sega has announced plans to release seven more of its classic titles under the Sega Vintage Collection banner later this year, thus confirming one of Xbox Live Arcade's worst-kept secrets. Included in Sega Vintage Collection 2 are Shinobi (arcade port), Comix Zone, Altered Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Phantasy Star II, Sonic & Knuckles andGunstar Heroes. Interestingly, Gunstar Heroes is the only title also announced for the PSN.

According to Sega, each title will include online leaderboards, re-worked graphics (using smoothing filters, not HD upgrades) and most will feature network play (Comix Zone,Phantasy Star II and Shinobi excluded). No word on pricing or release dates but Sega plans to release the titles separately this summer, with Sonic & Knuckles appearing last. Why the delay? With Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 2 XBLA and Sonic 3 XBLA owners will be able to use the classic lock-on feature from the Genesis-era to import Knuckles into each classic adventure. Of course, if patience isn't your best quality, you could just buy Sonic's Genesis Collection now (which doesn't support lock-on).

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altered-beastcomix-zonegunstar-heroesMicrosoftphantasy-star-2psnsegasega-vintage-collectionsega-vintage-collection-2shinobisonicsonic-and-knucklessonic-the-hedgehogsonic-the-hedgehog-2sonic-the-hedgehog-3xblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeMon, 11 May 2009 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/achievements-confirm-xbla-release-of-altered-beast-shinobi-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/achievements-confirm-xbla-release-of-altered-beast-shinobi-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/achievements-confirm-xbla-release-of-altered-beast-shinobi-com/#comments
If a few questionable screengrabs and a handful of ESRB ratings weren't evidence enough for you to believe in the XBLA-bound "Sega Vintage Collection Vol. 2," we now present you with exhibit C -- MyGamerCard recently dug up achievements for Altered Beast, Comix Zone and Shinobi, three of the titles belonging to the heretofore unannounced collection. Sadly, the other three titles which are rumored to accompany them, Sonic 3, GunStar Heroes and Phantasy Star II, are still unspoken for in the Cheevo department. We'll let you know when we hear more!

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsaltered-beastcomix-zonegunstar-heroesMicrosoftphantasy-star-iisega-vintage-collectionshinobisonic-3xblaXbox-360Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/shinobi-emerges-from-shadows-rated-for-360-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/shinobi-emerges-from-shadows-rated-for-360-by-esrb/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/shinobi-emerges-from-shadows-rated-for-360-by-esrb/#comments
Cinema Blend reports that an Xbox 360 version of Sega's classic arcade game, Shinobi, has popped up in the ESRB database. Based on the ESRB description, it sounds like it will be an XBLA rerelease of the original arcade game (right down to the shuriken throwing mini-game). There have been some great Sega titles announced for the service lately -- namely Outrun Online Arcade and Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram -- as well as rumblings of more classics on the way, so the news isn't exactly surprising, but welcome.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>esrbMicrosoftsegashinobixblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeWed, 08 Apr 2009 20:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/virtually-overlooked-shadow-dancer-the-secret-of-shinobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/virtually-overlooked-shadow-dancer-the-secret-of-shinobi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/virtually-overlooked-shadow-dancer-the-secret-of-shinobi/#commentsWelcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.

This game isn't particularly obscure, being a first-party Sega release in one of its major (at the time) franchises. But it doesn't matter, because this game is also the most awesome release in that franchise. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi answers the question of what could possibly be cooler than a ninja stalking around a gritty urban landscape: that ninja's dog. Seriously, you'd have to be a pretty cool dog to keep up with Joe Musashi (or his son, depending on the region).

This game violates an implicit Virtually Overlooked rule by having been released on the Virtual Console in Japan. This happened way back in December of 2006, so we actually feel more than justified in whining about its current unavailability outside of Japan on the Virtual Console. It would be incredibly easy to release it, since it's already been released on the Virtual Console, and Sega just refuses to get around to it.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiongenesisninjasegashadow-dancershinobiThu, 07 Feb 2008 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/vc-monday-madness-video-wrap-up-8-20-07/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/vc-monday-madness-video-wrap-up-8-20-07/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/vc-monday-madness-video-wrap-up-8-20-07/#commentsIt took us a lot longer than we initially would have liked, but we finally bring forth our video for this week. As you can imagine, our minds are focused mostly on Super Metroid. But the inclusion of Shinobi III is a nice extra and not to be overlooked, either. All in all, great work as far as Virtual Console content goes.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metroidsegagenesisshinobisnesturbografx16Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/vc-monday-madness-super-metroid-shinobi-iii-and-neutopia/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/vc-monday-madness-super-metroid-shinobi-iii-and-neutopia/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/vc-monday-madness-super-metroid-shinobi-iii-and-neutopia/#comments
There are going to be three new titles you may download from the Virtual Console in little under an hour, and one of them is perhaps one of the best games ever made: Super Metroid. As far as the franchise goes, we can easily say it is our favorite entry. But, not to be outdone by Nintendo's Class A act of a SNES game, Sega's Shinobi III is also available. As for this third game, well we've never heard of it:

The original headline was something along the lines of "Samus and Shinobi tour Neutopia on Virtual Console" but honestly, the less time spent thinking up trite headlines the better. Today's incredible Virtual Console update has steamrolled our Monday productivity into a lackadaisical mush of "meh."

Super Metroid (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii points): Considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time (evar), Super Metroid hardly requires a descriptive paragraph such as this one. Needless to say then, that it features Samus doing what she does best: murdering metroids, blasting evil brains and reminding us why we need to stay alive until August 27th.

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii points): The third entry in Sega's ninja kill-em-up series and arguably the best. As far as side-scrolling slashers go, the Shinobi one is your only hope... for gaming fun!

Neutopia (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii points): Neutopia is often labeled as a Legend of Zelda clone. Somehow, we don't think it minds.

Lovers of isometric RPGs and real, ultimate power should be happy to hear that Sega is bringing Genesis titles Landstalker and Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master to the Wii's Virtual Console at some (as of now) undisclosed time.

When an announcement like this is made, your mind probably begins to wander to the inevitable question: Who would win in a fight, Nigel the treasure hunter or Joe Musashi? Joe Musashi or ... Nigel?Here's our rule of thumb: If a fight would be decided as soon as the fighters' names were read aloud, it's probably not worth worrying about.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>segashinobivcvirtualconsolewiiFri, 17 Aug 2007 09:35:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/sega-announces-shinobi-iii-and-landstalker-for-vc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/sega-announces-shinobi-iii-and-landstalker-for-vc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/sega-announces-shinobi-iii-and-landstalker-for-vc/#comments
Sega has let the Virtual Console cat out of its bag again, revealing their intentions to bring Shinobi III and Landstalker to Nintendo's service. As for when gamers can get ahold of these titles themselves, only a time frame of "soon" has been reported. Also, no word on cost, but we're confident that the usual 800 Wii Points cost will be in effect for each title.

This week, Japan got three games that we don't have yet in the US-- no surprise there. But we already had Splatterhouse on our Virtual Console, so we totally win in that one specific competition that isn't really a competition.

The non-Splatterhouse games include another shooter, a Paleolithic puzzle game that we'd never heard of, and a completely awesome ninja game that we'd love to see over here ASAP. And, since it did come out over here (as Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master), we are not crazy to expect it!

We've previously seen Afterburner and Lemmings re-tooled, to make them suitable for our favorite portable. While both of those titles are enjoyable, there is still a ton of gold to be mined from the past, then reshaped into something grand and new. With that in mind, I thought it we'd do a public service, and remind publishers of some of those titles. Here they are in no particular order:

Bionic Commando

Contra

Lunar

Streets of Rage

Splatter House

Bonk

Strider

Double Dribble

Golden Axe

Shinobi

Out of this World

Zombie Ate My Neighbors

Those are a few of the titles we'd like to see. But what does our opinion matter? Let us know what games we missed, or what classics you'd like to see resurrected on the PSP.

You know what I love about all these classic compilations coming out? I'm realizing just how many games I missed out on as a kid, but the great thing about these games is we don't have to miss out on them anymore.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecco jrEccoJrold schoolOldSchoolphantasy starPhantasyStarretrosega genesis collectionSegaGenesisCollectionshinobiFri, 13 Oct 2006 19:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/10/sega-does-what-nintendont-on-your-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/10/sega-does-what-nintendont-on-your-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/10/sega-does-what-nintendont-on-your-psp/#commentsIf you're into classic games like me, you're probably eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console feature so that you can play not only some Nintendo games, but some Genesis games as well. For those of you Sony fanboys that'll avoid the Wii like its a smelly grandmother, there's finally an alternative: Sega Genesis Collection, a compliation of nearly thirty Genesis games is heading to the PSP. The disc will not only come loaded with the games, but exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. PSP owners can rejoice in knowing that an exclusive wireless multiplayer mode is being created just for them. Maybe it'll even support Game Sharing? (I hope so!) Here's the list of games:

Alex Kidd

Altered Beast

Bonanza Bros.

Columns

Comix Zone

Decap Attack

Ecco the Dolphin

Ecco: The Tides of Time

Ecco Jr.

Eternal Champions

Flicky

Gain Ground

Golden Axe

Golden Axe II

Golden Axe III

Phantasy Star II

Phantasy Star III

Phantasy Star IV

Ristar

Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi

Shinobi III

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Super Thunderblade

Sword of Vermillion

Vectorman

Vectorman 2

Virtua Fighter 2

Whoa... out of breath just reading that list. Visit 1up to see details about all of these classics.

Super Console Wars: The Gamepire Strikes
Gold is that hybrid that with good and evil roles spread out onto each platform and various gaming mascots, ranging
from Mario clone troopers vs. Princess Zelda to a VMU droid and GPU-enabled android (erm, peripheral).

About
two-thirds of the way through the 20-minute video, you're gently encouraged to wear 3D glasses to enhance your video
viewing, but even without glasses, the parody stands as an amusing take-off of gaming standards, pop culture, and retro
reminiscing. Obi-Wan Shinobi, indeed.